Alkaline batteries are showing tepid growth, and experts expect sales to plunge as much as 3% as fierce competition among manufacturers continues to pressure pricing. More devices are using built-in rechargeable battery systems — another trend hurting primary battery sales.

Sales of carbonated beverages remain stagnant, but sales of energy drinks, sports drinks and functional waters have seen gains over the last quarter. Sales of ready-to-drink tea and yogurt drinks and smoothies also are segments showing promise.

Natrol on Wednesday announced its partnership with Bikram Choudhury, a world renowned yoga instructor who developed the brand of yoga known as Bikram yoga, to offer a new line of ayurvedic supplements called Vedic Mantra.

The market for sports nutrition looks good. All categories grouped by Drug Store News in this space — nutrition and energy bars, energy shots and ready-to-drink protein shakes — currently are trending up significantly.

Walgreens on Wednesday will unveil its first electric vehicle charging station in Orlando, Fla., at its International Drive and Sand Lake Road location with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., as City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer makes the inaugural charge.

“When it comes to advancing pharmacy to truly become the ‘practice of the future,’ we must tell our story.” That was a key message that Steve Anderson, National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO, had for next-generation pharmacists attending the Dean’s Convocation at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus on Tuesday.

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SPECIAL REPORTS

Are we in the midst of a beauty revolution? Perhaps. It is no secret that the ever-changing beauty category is all about trends, but one could argue that we are embarking on an especially interesting time in beauty as technology is changing the way consumers shop and new innovations strive to break through the noise.

In this beauty report, Drug Store News takes a deeper dive into some of the leading trends that are reshaping beauty.more ...

IN THIS ISSUE

In this issue, DSN examines PricewaterhouseCoopers' "Top Health Industry Issues for 2015;" takes you on a tour of Murad, shares beauty trends and insights and delves into location-based technology and how it is revolutionizing health, retail.Click here to view the issue.